After taking a leave of absence earlier this month after a seizure and a series of car accidents, Commerce Secretary John Bryson is stepping down, Politico reports. He informed the department's employees today in a letter obtained by the Wall Street Journal, and said he has submitted his resignation to President Obama. "I have come to the conclusion that I need to step down to prevent distractions from this critical mission" of building the US economy, he writes. His deputy, Rebecca Blank, will serve as acting secretary.